Odds shortening for Southampton to land Middlesbrough defender

Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough) during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, England on 4 March 2016. Photo by Mark P Doherty.

Southampton are now 2/1 to sign Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson this summer on SkyBet.

Everton remain the 1/1 favourite to bring him back to the Premier League but will now have to face competition from the Saints.

Southampton’s manager, Mark Hughes, managed to keep them in the top flight last season and is now looking to further strengthen his squad this summer. He has already signed highly-rated goalkeeper Angus Gunn from Manchester City and Danish international Jannik Vestergaard from Borrusia Monchengladbach and may now set their sights on Ben Gibson.

The 25-year-old joined Middlesbrough at the age of 12 and rose through the youth ranks at the Riverside. He has gone onto play over 200 games for Boro and has also enjoyed loan spells at Plymouth Argyle, York City and Tranmere Rovers.

Gibson helped Middlesbrough gain promotion to the Premier League in 2016 and impressed for them in the top flight, despite them going down. His form earned him a call-up to the England squad in March 2017. He had previously represented the Three Lions at Under-17, Under-18, Under-20 and Under-21 level in the past.

Boro will be hoping to keep hold of their key defender this summer as he would be a key player for them next season if they are to mount another promotion push. However, he will have his suitors in the Premier League.

Southampton would be an ideal place for Gibson to go in the top flight as they have a history of developing young players and has been a great stepping stone for players in the past.